First WordS...

Maya has quite a bit to say these days!  Since I use this blog as a place keep record of all her milestones, I felt it was time to start listing them out!  Here they are in somewhat of a particular order...

Mama & Dada (the first words she started babbling months ago!)

Uh oh

More

Caillou (the cartoon we let her watch when we need to keep her busy...when she says it, it's more like Gaaaaa)

Turtle

Car

She also makes a plethora of animal noises (and what they actually sound like in parentheses)... most of which no one else could recognize except Brad and I, but she tries!

Roar (Raaaa)

Woof (Woo Woo)

Moo (MMMM)

Elephant trumpet (motor sound with her lips while raising her arm in the air)

Monkey noises (Ah ah ah)

I love watching her grow and learn.  She's a funny little girl and keeps us constantly entertained!

Walking update...

Getting better and better each day!

Oh and we have a tooth surfacing!!!  It's the bottom right :) Praise God, my child will have teeth!!  I was starting to wonder...

I have learned that taking a picture of a tooth is nearly impossible, but the second I figure out how to snap a shot of that little thing coming through, I'll post it for all to see!

Papa...

My dad is able to come and visit Maya a few days a week.  We normally wait for him at the door when he arrives and she gets so excited to see Papa as he walks up to the house.  It wasn't the easiest road, but his time and persistence is paying off and she's finally becoming more comfortable.  I am so thankful!  He often takes her outside to explore and I love seeing her listen and learn.  Here's a few pics from yesterday's visit...

Learning to smell the flowers...this became a "snotty" experience, but she tried!

checking out the bees in the bush....

He makes her laugh....

and she does the same :)

These two are becoming buddies and it makes my heart smile :)

First Steps...

Maya B has started taking a few steps!  They are few and far between, but very exciting none the less!  Here's a video if you haven't seen it already...not her best effort, but the only video we have so far...

**Sorry this post is SO LATE!  I've been trying to get this video uploaded for days, and for some reason it just wasn't working...better late than never!

Party Time...

We had Maya's first birthday party at Gymboree Play and Music.  We take classes here once a week and Maya loves it, so I thought it could be a good venue for her birthday.  I think it worked perfectly!  Everyone had a great time, especially the kiddos!

One of the best parts of the day is that Grammy and Auntie Deanna were able to be here for the celebration!  It's really hard to have family living in another state and so special when we're able to come together for special occasions.  I loved having them here and so did Maya B!

Cupcake Table

Bubble party favors

Friends that came to celebrate :)

So close to walking!  She's taken a couple itty bitty steps!

Parachute time!

 Everyone loves bubbles...

Time for cake!

Made by yours truly, Joan, and Deanna

Singing Happy Birthday

Blowing out the candle!

Maya was mainly interested in the jelly beans

Not too sure about this cake stuff

 We love our big girl!!

12 months...

The big one year old!

Maya is becoming such a big girl!  We continue to be amazed by all she is doing and learning.  The last year has presented us with the biggest challenges, the greatest joy and more love than we could have ever imagined.  I don't know what I'd do without our little Maya B and I'm so thankful God has given her to us.  We are blessed! 

New Shades...

We bought Maya some new sunglasses in Capitola.  I started feeling like her pink ones were a little to "babyish" for this ALMOST ONE YEAR OLD!  

Pretty sweet shades...